Neymar has expressed his disappointment with the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings, specifically regarding the fifth-place finish of Barcelona winger Raphinha. The Santos forward took to social media to voice his frustration, stating that Raphinha’s position is “a huge joke.” This reaction comes after Ousmane Dembele was awarded the 2025 Ballon d’Or, ahead of Lamine Yamal, with Raphinha finishing behind Dembele, Yamal, Vitinha, and Mohamed Salah.
Raphinha had a notable season with Barcelona, contributing to the team’s LaLiga title and Copa del Rey wins. He recorded 56 goal contributions in 57 appearances, making him a key player for the Blaugrana. Neymar’s comments suggest that he believes Raphinha’s achievements warrant a higher ranking in the Ballon d’Or standings.
The Ballon d’Or is an annual association football award presented to the best player in the world. The rankings are determined by a panel of international sports journalists, who consider various factors, including individual and team performances, during the eligibility period. The 2025 edition of the award was presented on Monday night, with Dembele emerging as the winner.
Neymar’s reaction to the rankings has sparked attention, given his stature in the football world and his connection to Raphinha as a fellow Brazilian player. The comments have also highlighted the ongoing debate about the subjective nature of football awards and the varying opinions on player performances.
The 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings have generated significant discussion among football fans and pundits, with some agreeing with Neymar’s assessment of Raphinha’s position and others defending the outcome. As the football community continues to weigh in on the matter, the debate is likely to persist, with many eagerly awaiting the next edition of the award to see how the rankings will unfold.
